Bulgarian sentenced in North Macedonia for quoting Ivan Mihaylov

We will inform our partners from the EU countries about this latest trial, which cannot be characterized as anything other than a punitive action against representatives of the Bulgarian community. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova to journalists in Vienna. She said that the ministry had been closely monitoring the development of the case from the very beginning, but was restrained in its comments out of respect for the court in principle.

In its position, the foreign ministry said that the reasons for the verdict would be studied in great detail.

"It is absolutely unacceptable in a country that claims to be an example of a functioning multiethnic democracy that the open declaration of belonging to the Bulgarian people, the veneration of Bulgarian national symbols and heroes, and the dissemination of authentic Bulgarian literature should be punished with the threat of imprisonment," Sofia's position reads. "There is no doubt that the approach of the authorities in North Macedonia, along with the purposeful creation of an atmosphere of intolerance through constant anti-Bulgarian rhetoric, aims to instill fear of exercising the right to free self-determination, to marginalize and stigmatize the Bulgarian community," the foreign ministry added in a statement to the media.

"It is clear to the ministry that this is not just a trial against Ljubcho Georgievski, this is a trial that is being conducted against all those who feel and act as Bulgarians and want their human and civil rights to be respected," said Deputy Minister Shekerletova. "We will also encourage him to appeal, if it has to go all the way to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg," she added.